Toilet-paper roll centralizer

ABSTRACT

A device centralizes a roll of toilet tissue onto a rod or spindle. Assuming the roll of tissue has an inner diameter D and a width W, and that the rod or spindle has an outer diameter d 1 , the invention comprises a pair of disks and a plurality of flexible elements interconnecting the disks and maintaining the disks in spaced-apart relation. The disks are separated by a distance corresponding to W, thereby defining a cylindrical volume having a central longitudinal axis. Each disk has an outer diameter D′ slightly less than D, and an inner diameter d 1 ′ slightly greater than d 1 . Each flexible element has a central section extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to the roll.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bathroom tissue and, in particular, to apparatus that allows a roll of toilet tissue to be centered on a spindle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While there may have been a time when the inside diameter of a roll of toilet paper corresponded to the outside diameter of the rod or spindle onto which it is placed, that is no longer the case. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows a roll of tissue 108, ordinarily wound onto a cardboard tube having an inner diameter D which is much larger than the diameter of spindle 120 upon which it is placed. This creates certain problems, especially with respect to in-wall type dispensers 101, as shown. Today, for example, the inner diameter D is typically greater than 1 inch, whereas the outside diameter of spindle 120 is typically 1 inch or less. In particular, D may be 1½ to 1⅝ inches, whereas the outside diameter of spindle 120 may be ¾, ⅞ or 1 inch. With the diameter D being sufficiently larger than the diameter of the spindle 120, it is not centered on the spindle, and rubbing may occur at point “X,” causing sanitation issues or sheets to tear at unwanted times.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical existing spring-loaded-type spindle. This spindle, also designated as 120, includes a portion 112 having an outside diameter d2 of 13/16 to 1 inch, depending upon whether metal or plastic construction is used. The portion 112 is received by a smaller-diameter portion 116, having an outside diameter d1 of approximately ¾ inch. In any case, these dimensions are also significantly less than the inner diameter of tissue rolls, leading to the problems outlined above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention solves problems of the type just described by providing a device for centralizing a roll of toilet tissue onto a rod or spindle. Assuming the roll of tissue has an inner diameter D and a width W, and that the rod or spindle has an outer diameter d1, the invention comprises a pair of disks and a plurality of flexible elements interconnecting the disks and maintaining the disks in spaced-apart relation.

The disks are separated by a distance corresponding to W, thereby defining a cylindrical volume having a central longitudinal axis. Each disk has an outer diameter D′ slightly less than D, and an inner diameter d1′ slightly greater than d1. Each flexible element has a central section extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to the roll.

In the preferred embodiment, D is on the order of 1½ to 1⅝ inches, d1 is on the order of ¾ inch or greater, and W is on the order of 4½ inches. In the case where the rod or spindle is a spring-biased unit having a first section with an outer diameter d1 and a second section with an outer diameter d2 which is greater than d1, the disks have different inner diameters. In particular, one of the disks has an inner diameter d2′ slightly greater than d2, wherein d2 is on the order of 13/16 to ⅞ inches or greater. The preferred embodiment uses three equally spaced springy metal flexible elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing in partial cross-section which shows the problems that may arise with existing in-wall toilet tissue dispensers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective representative of a typical spring-loaded spindle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a roll of tissue being installed on the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Having discussed the prior art and the limitations thereof, the reader's attention is directed to FIG. 3, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 100. The device includes a first disk 102 having an inner diameter 110. The first disk 102 is spaced apart and generally parallel to a second disk 104 which has an inner diameter 114. The outer diameter D′ of both disks 102, 104 is slightly less than the inside diameter of a typical roll of toilet paper, which has been found to be 1½ to 1⅝ inches. Accordingly, diameter D′ is preferably on the order of 1¼ to 1½ inches.

Continuing the reference to FIG. 3, the inside diameter 110 (d2′) of disk 102 and the inside diameter 114 (d1′) of disk 104 may be equal, in the case of a spindle having a uniform outer diameter. In such a case, both inside diameters 110, 114 would be slightly larger than the outside diameter of the spindle. For example, if the spindle had a diameter on the order ¾ inch, inside diameters 110, 114 would preferably be ⅞ to 1 inch, or thereabouts.

However, in the case of a spring-loaded spindle of the type shown in FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes disks 102, 104 having different inside diameters. In particular, disk 102, to be received over portion 112 of the spindle 120, would have an inside diameter d2′ just greater than ¾ to ⅞ inch. Accordingly, d2′ would preferably be 15/16 to 1 inch, or thereabouts. Disk 104, on the other than, to be received over portion 116 of spindle 120, would have an inside diameter 114 (d1′) slightly greater than ¾ inch. Accordingly, diameter d1′ would preferably be on the order of 13/16 to ⅞ inch, or thereabouts.

The end disks 102, 104 are spaced apart by flexible elements 105, 106, 107. While three such flexible elements are shown, a greater plurality may be used and, for that matter, two opposing flexible elements may alternatively be used in some cases, depending upon construction. The disks 102, 104, as well as the flexible elements, regardless of number, may be constructed of plastic or metal, and may be joined through a frictional fit (as shown), or gluing or other bonding techniques may be used. In addition to metal or plastic, disks 102, 104 may be constructed of other materials, such as wood or even cardboard.

FIG. 4 is an end-view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 seen from the direction shown in FIG. 3. This view is shown to illustrate how flexible elements, regardless of number, extend outwardly from diameter D′ to diameter D″ which is larger, preferably on the order of 2″. As shown, when the apparatus 100 is placed over a spindle such as 120, and inserted into a roll of tissue as shown in FIG. 5, flexible elements such as 105, 106, 107 bend inwardly toward the overall axis of the system, thereby centering the roll on the spindle, and avoiding the problems depicted in FIG. 1. 

1. A device for centralizing a roll of toilet tissue having an inner diameter D, and a width W, on a rod or spindle having an outer diameter d1, the device comprising: a pair of circular disks spaced apart by a distance corresponding to W, the two disks defining a cylindrical volume with a central longitudinal axis, each disk having an outer diameter less than D, and a circular hole formed through each disc, each hole having an inner diameter greater than d1, thereby enabling the rod or spindle to be positioned through both holes of the disks; a plurality of flexible elements interconnecting the disks and maintaining the disks in spaced-apart relation, each flexible element having a central section extending outwardly beyond the cylindrical volume, such that when a roll of toilet tissue is inserted over the device the elements flex inwardly toward the central longitudinal axis and achieve a frictional coupling to the roll; and wherein the disks are interconnected only by the plurality of flexible elements.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein D is on the order of 1¼ to 1½ inches.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein d1 is on the order of ¾ inch or greater.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein W is on the order of 4½ inches.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein: the rod or spindle is a spring-biased unit having a first section with an outer diameter d1 and a second section with an outer diameter d2 which is greater than d1; and the holes through the disks have different inner diameters corresponding to d1 and d2.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein: d1 is on the order of ¾ inch or greater; and d2 is on the order of 13/16 to ⅞ inches or greater.
 7. The device of claim 1, including three equally spaced springy metal flexible elements. 